Personally, If I ever have to drop out the motor from my e70, I'd rather go out the bottom. I don't have a lift though, so I'd just remove the entire front end and go out the front/ top. I'm a big proponent of just taking things off that are in the way.

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'10 X5 35d- 279k mi, deleted and DUDMD stage 2, daily and tow vehicle
'01 330i- Drift car: SLR Super angle, BC coils- keep it simple
'07 335i 6mt - Sold @ 171k miles- stage 2 daily commuter for 2 years